Kalahari water park wouldn't be cheap thrill

If the prices at Kalahari Resorts' two current locations are similar to what the Poconos price will be, it won't be cheap.

MICHAEL SADOWSKI

If the prices at Kalahari Resorts' two current locations are similar to what the Poconos price will be, it won't be cheap.

It would, however, open its water parks to the public, rather than just to hotel guests.

A family of four staying at either of the Kalahari resort locations in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., or Sandusky, Ohio, would spend at least $600 for a two-night, weekend, summer stay with water park admission included.

Wisconsin-based Kalahari Resorts has proposed a 1,200-room resort with a 300,000-square-foot indoor water park to be built near Pocono Manor.

There is no timetable for when it would be open or begin construction.

With taxes and charges — like an $11.95 daily resort fee — the least expensive Sandusky rate for a family of four would be $617.59 for a two-night stay Aug. 3-4.

The resort fee is to "cover the costs associated with providing the highest level of amenities for our guests," according to the company's website.

The Wisconsin Dells location is more expensive. Its least expensive room for an Aug. 3-4 stay is $691.18 with taxes and fees. The included resort fee is $9.95 a night.

By comparison, Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun would charge $965.70 for an Aug. 3-4 stay. Great Wolf's indoor water park is about 78,000 square feet.

Great Wolf, however, is a suites-only hotel. A low-end suite for that weekend in Sandusky would cost $706.79.

Great Wolf, however, reserves its water park for hotel guests. Both Kalahari locations currently have public access.

A one-day pass for the Sandusky water park on Aug. 3 would cost $49, plus tax.

Split Rock Lodge, in Lake Harmony, does open its indoor water park to the public. At 52,000 square feet, Split Rock's park is about one-third the size of the Sandusky location.

The Sandusky location also has a safari outdoor adventure park, which Kalahari officials said would be included at the Poconos location. That includes a rope course, zip line tour, climbing walls and an animal park.

A combination pass for the water park and the adventure park is $59.95, plus tax.

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